Ford Focus Electric packs 100+ MPGe

Shane McGlaun, 4th January 2012

I have always found it very confusing that the EPA and automakers strap EVs with no combustion engines under the hood with the same sort of MPG ratings that we see on normal cars.

The confusion is that they use no gas; hence, they should have no MPG rating in my mind. In any event, Ford has announced that the first of its Focus Electric cars recently rolled off the assembly line with an economy rating of 100 MPGe.

The Focus Electric is the first car to seat five passengers to receive that rating. The Focus Electric is also capable of charging twice as fast as the Nissan Leaf when using a 240v outlet (the Nissan Leaf is one of the closest competitors to the new Focus Electric).

Of course, Ford is also taking time to tout the fact that with the roll out of its Focus Electric more than a third of its line boasts a model that is good for 40 mpg or more.

"The Focus Electric is a shining example of the leading fuel economy Ford is offering for each new vehicle," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development.

"Whether people want a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full battery-electric vehicle, we have a family of vehicles for them to consider, providing a range of options to best meet their needs and support their driving habits and lifestyles."

Unsurprisingly, Ford is vague about just how fast the Focus Electric will charge, saying only that it requires half the time of the Leaf. Nissan cites the charge time for a fully dead battery on a 240V outlet as seven hours for the Leaf, presumably putting the Focus Electric at about 3.5 hours for a full charge. Ford claims a top speed of 84mph and 30 miles of driving for an hour of charge time - saying that the ability to recharge quicker between stops will allow the driver greater driving range.

The vehicle - which has a single-speed transmission - will sell in specific markets to start with the first units heading to California and the New York/New Jersey areas. As the year progresses, several more markets will be added.